“This iconic California winery changed the industry forever.” – Food & Wine

I could lie and say I’m not euphoric about landing a 96 POINT RIDGE. Don’t forget the TRIPLE 95s, too.

Because, well…RIDGE, baby!!!

A first on Wine Spies like no other, certainly. ICONIC is one word. We could throw out many more superlatives, including things like “wonderous” and “unfathomable” at this price you see before you.

Few wineries in the world approach RIDGE’s status. And few RIDGE releases (perhaps spare “America’s Latour” Monte Bello) are as iconic as Lytton Springs. AND we catch the wave with a 50th Anniversary special? With 96 points! Best price anywhere?! Am I dreaming?

(Must be, there’s another RIDGE hidden as an App Exclusive today!)

It’s all true, in technicolor. Let’s take a ride down memory lane with Wine Advocate, “Planted in the early 1900s to Zinfandel and significant portions of Petite Sirah and Carignane, Lytton Springs is often cited as one of California’s most age-worthy Zinfandel-based field blends. The 2022 Lytton Springs represents Ridge’s 50th bottling from the site - Paul Draper crafted the first vintage in 1972, and Ridge purchased the vineyard in 1990. To celebrate, the winery recently held a historic library tasting that included a Lytton Springs bottling from each decade: the current 2022 vintage plus the 2013, 2009, 1999, 1984, and 1974 vintages. The wines have aged gracefully…”

But who has the patience?

Oh, Wine Advocate adds, “In 2022, they hired Shauna Rosenblum as the Lytton Springs winemaker. Daughter of Zinfandel specialist Kent Rosenblum, Shauna is perfectly poised to take Ridge’s Sonoma County operations to the next level… she has moved exclusively to new American oak for élevage, which has lent the lineup of 2022s purer, crisper aromatics.”

We can keep talking, but who’s listening? Soon as Ops in the know saw RIDGE up on Wine Spies, they left, either to get a second mortgage or test the limits of our shopping cart.

Are you still here?

96 Points, Cellar Selection – Wine Enthusiast “The densely packed nose of this legendary old vine field blend of Zin, Petite Sirah, Carignane, and Alicante gives aromas of crushed blackberry, purple flowers and rich earthy spices, while the palate brings black cherry, olive and licorice flavors in a framework of opulent tannin that will age effortlessly for more than a decade.”

95 Points – Decanter “Committed to both sustainable and organic farming practices, Ridge’s pre-industrial approach lends its sensibility to field blends made from old, time-honored vines. Leading the Sonoma County blend is Zinfandel, California’s quintessential heritage grape, along with Petite Sirah, Carignan and Alicante Bouschet. Hand-harvest, co-fermented, then thoughtfully aged in American oak, the ruby hues with purple reflections follow with a bramble of wild berries, violet, sarsaparilla, fennel, and mint on the nose. An energised mouthfeel of blackberries, cherry cola, dried herbs, and cocoa-covered coffee beans, drive this lush and juicy field blend to a long, lifted finish. Drink 2024-2038.”

95 Points – James Suckling “This is the kingpin of Ridge’s Sonoma County heritage blends, and it doesn’t disappoint. Equal parts fruity, spicy and savory on a full body braced by moderate tannins. Judicious oak spices like cedar and cigar box complement pure, ripe blackberries and raspberries and a dash of black pepper. Known to age well for decades. Drinkable now, but best from 2030.”

95 Points – Wine Spectator “Like a beast that’s been tamed, this red is genteel and polished on the outside but dark and fervent deep down, with expressive flavors of blackberry, briar patch, savory anise and pepper. Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Carignane and Alicante Bouschet. Drink now through 2035.”